Chapter Eight: Her Heart Belonged Entirely to You

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“How could Madam Sun slander someone’s innocence out of nowhere? Our Princess clearly went to save you; so many eyes witnessed it all!” Qiu Ming retorted indignantly. Most of the palace attendants gathered around had been summoned by the maids’ clamoring and were unaware of the prior events, so they nodded in agreement.

Gu Xuezhi, tears welling in her eyes, said, “My Lord, they… they… Xuezhi truly was...”

She hesitated as if struggling to speak. Only Yin Jiaojiao could perceive the bitterness beneath her gentleness. A forceful accusation would not suit Gu Xuezhi’s mild and humble demeanor; only by hesitating and bearing her grievance quietly could the complaint appear genuine, evoking Lord Xiao Yuanchi’s sympathy.

Sure enough, Xiao Yuanchi’s brow furrowed slowly, his expression darkening.

Gu Xuezhi’s maid hurriedly spoke, “My Lord, the County Lady would never deceive you. Han Yan truly saw it with her own eyes—it was the Princess who pushed our County Lady into the water!”

“Is it true just because you say so?” Qiu Ming protested stubbornly. “My Lord, the Princess was saved by your own hands. If not for Madam Sun, why would she jump into the pond?”

The two maids each argued their point. Seeing the stalemate, Xiao Yuanchi shifted his gaze and gestured to a nearby palace attendant.

The clever attendant quickly draped a cloak over Gu Xuezhi, but she still refused to be moved.

Gu Xuezhi clung softly to Xiao Yuanchi’s front, unwilling to let go.

Xiao Yuanchi had no choice but to gently persuade her, “Xuezhi, this is the palace.”

Only then did she realize and hastily release her grip. “I... Xuezhi... Xuezhi was momentarily flustered. My Lord, please forgive me.”

Xiao Yuanchi shook his sleeve lightly and smiled, “It’s alright. Were you hurt?”

“When I fell into the water just now, I think I hit my waist on a stone,” she whispered, “It aches.”

Yin Jiaojiao rubbed her temple, observing the two. In broad daylight, under the bright sky, and with countless eyes watching, they still showed no reserve. If this were elsewhere, they might have already embraced each other affectionately!

Her suppressed anger flared anew.

She snatched her hand away from Qiu Ming and bowed, “My Lord, you know this is the palace. Every move is under countless eyes. How could I dare do anything else? I truly risked my life to rescue Madam Sun. Alas, I’m not a good swimmer and didn’t manage to save her completely, causing her injury and pain. It is my fault. I beg Your Highness not to blame me.”

Yin Jiaojiao’s sarcastic self-deprecation was clearly insincere. Xiao Yuanchi’s face instantly darkened, a complex mix of disgust and anger flashing in his eyes, his voice no longer as gentle as when speaking to Gu Xuezhi.

“You do talk well.”

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Yin Jiaojiao snorted, “I only speak the truth.”

Gu Xuezhi’s maid, seeing her twist facts, anxiously said, “My Lord, the Princess is not telling the truth. The Princess—”

“Enough!” Gu Xuezhi interrupted.

Lowering her eyelids, laden with countless grievances, she said, “My Lord, how could the Princess harm me? On reflection, I must have been mistaken. Please do not argue with the Princess over such a trivial matter; that would be a great sin for Xuezhi.”

She then pushed aside the palace attendants and bowed to Yin Jiaojiao, her voice trembling, “Princess, it is Xuezhi’s fault. Please do not be angry. Take care not to harm your health. Xuezhi apologizes to you here.”

This smooth and graceful maneuver caused even the watching attendants to exchange doubtful glances. Yin Jiaojiao could only sigh in admiration. If this woman were not after her husband, she might even applaud her cunning.

She thought to herself that she should learn from her—using retreat as advance. If she was going to yield, she would do it more thoroughly and with greater humility. If she feigned magnanimity, she would appear even more generous. In any case, she would not allow this pitiful act to win Xiao Yuanchi’s sympathy.

But was it necessary?

No. She didn’t want him anymore, so she didn’t want his pity either!

Raising her chin arrogantly, Yin Jiaojiao declared, “Madam Sun’s apology is accepted by this Princess. I hope Madam Sun will learn her lesson and reflect seriously. If she offends again—”

She smiled wickedly, “This Princess will not show mercy!”

Her declaration caused an uproar. Even Qiu Ming was stunned. What a reckless move! Wasn’t this just throwing in the towel? Xiao Yuanchi must be furious.

Unsurprisingly, Xiao Yuanchi’s voice turned cold. “Yin Jiaojiao!”

“What of it?”

Yin Jiaojiao straightened her chest, refusing to yield. She felt confident but didn’t notice her eyes had reddened. “My Lord, are you trying to throw more dirt on me?”

Before them stood a woman in a pale yellow dress, soaked through and dripping. Her hairpins were crooked, her hair disheveled. The early spring chill made her shiver uncontrollably despite the cloak the maid handed her. Petite and likely having endured hardship these days, she appeared thinner than on her wedding day. A wet strand clung to her cheek, tracing a watery path down, dripping into her collar, making her tremble instinctively. She looked pitiful in every way—

Except for her eyes.

Those almond-shaped eyes, glossy like black glass, were filled with stubbornness and unwillingness to submit. Just like last night, when she struggled before him, glaring fiercely with those eyes, igniting his temper, making him wish he could crush her.

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Xiao Yuanchi’s jaw clenched tightly, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Yin Jiaojiao knew he was truly angry. Rightly so—his beloved had just apologized humbly, yet she still refused to acknowledge it. That was a grave offense.

Her heart raced, her breath quickened. Reason told her to back down; the beauty was already in hand. She should go home, plan quietly, wait until Xiao Yuanchi was no more. Why waste energy on a moment’s anger?

But she wouldn’t. Not only did she refuse to concede, she wanted to make him angrier.

Just as she stepped forward to speak, her vision darkened abruptly. She fell backward.

Before losing consciousness, she instinctively uttered something she shouldn’t have.

Xiao Yuanchi immediately moved to catch her but withdrew at the last moment. His expression turned cold and indifferent. Then, he nodded to a man who arrived even faster than him. “Elder Brother.”

Only then did everyone realize who had come and quickly bowed, “Your Highness, Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince Xiao Yuanxi wore a robe of deep crimson embroidery and a golden crown similar to Xiao Yuanchi’s, exuding noble dignity. He must have just had an audience with the Emperor. His left arm caught the fainting Yin Jiaojiao. The elaborate, auspicious embroidery on his sleeve was dampened by the pool water, but he paid no mind, casually waving his free hand.

“No need to bow.”

He studied Yin Jiaojiao and asked curiously, “Why is my sister-in-law in such a state?”

Then he looked at Xiao Yuanchi and the shrinking Gu Xuezhi behind him, eyes reflecting some understanding.

“Seventh Brother has quarreled with Sister-in-law again?”

“Elder Brother, forgive me.”

Without hesitation, Xiao Yuanchi stepped forward and pulled Yin Jiaojiao closer. Up close, he saw the woman burning with fever, her face flushed red.

The Crown Prince’s arm suddenly felt empty. A breeze passed, and after a moment, he lowered his hand.

“It is only natural for spouses to have occasional disputes. Sister-in-law is delicate, a gentle woman. You, a straightforward man, could easily soothe her. She cares for you deeply. Just now, she called out to you... you heard it yourself. Why must it come to this?” The Crown Prince spoke gently, offering counsel.